Abstracts » Law

Marking a decade of struggle: new report cites only 'incremental' progress for minorities in the law

Article Abstract:

Minority law students and attorneys have made only minor gains between 1987 and 1996 and anti-affirmative action laws are reducing even those gains. The number of African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics and American Indians in the legal profession has grown, but they are more likely to be in government or public interest positions over high-paying private practice. Though more minority attorneys are joining large law firms, the number of minority partners has not significantly increased. One concrete step toward equal participation would be to eliminate the Law School Admission Test.

Statistics, Minority attorneys, Minority lawyers, Minority law students

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Defend and tell; lawyers who cash in on media deals for their clients' stories may wish they'd kept their mouths shut

Article Abstract:

A lawyer who gets a criminal client's media rights before the conclusion of a case may be guilty of conflict of interest. ABA Model Rule 1.8(d) and Model Code Disciplinary Rule 5-104(B) prohibit such conduct. California is the only state not specifically prohibiting such conduct and in 48 states either the Model Rules or the Model Code are in effect. Disciplinary actions involving the rule are, however, rare. Three cases resulted in short suspensions and one occasioned only a reprimand. Obtainaing media rights also sometimes results in a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.

Standards, Criminals, Legal ethics, Conflict of interests (Attorneys), Conflicts of interest (Lawyers)

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Same words, different meanings: affirmative action debate is rife with views on how to achieve equality

Article Abstract:

A variety of viewpoints exist on the affirmative action debate, and the A.B.A. held a forum on the issue at its 1997 Midyear Meeting. The Commission on Women in the Profession joined with the Commission on Opportunities for Minorities in the Profession and the Multi-Cultural Women Attorneys Network to sponsor the forum.

Conferences, meetings and seminars, Political aspects, Affirmative action, A.B.A. Commission on Opportunities for Minorities in the Profession, A.B.A. Commission on Women in the Profession

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